Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Udom Emmanuel has said that he will support his successor Pastor Umo Eno to beat his record and performance while in office.
Speaking in Uyo on Tuesday during the State New Year Thanksgiving Service to usher in 2024, Emmanuel said he has no doubt or fear that his successor will perform more than him as governor of the state.
“I don’t have any doubt or fear, I still stand on what I said from Day One that you’ll do 200 times better than me in all ramifications and God will give you the enablement and capacity to make that happen.
“When God sends you, he gives transportation money. He equips, he gives you the capacity, and he gives you everything to keep it up and running.”
Emmanuel said one of the secrets of his successful reign as Governor is the support he got from Christian fathers in the State and expressed happiness that they are extending the same to his successor.
The former governor appreciated youths, women, and elders, as well as those who believed in their philosophy to move the state forward.
“I believe that as the Preacher today said, we need one mind, and we must be strengthened together. The governor alone can not do it.
“May God unite all of us together, strengthen us as a people to know that Akwa Ibom is beyond one man.”
Udom who initiated and completed the state worship center project said he was moved by the fact that despite being named after God, Akwa Ibom had no befitting place of worship.
“Probably today, we would have been under the sun, but we now have a place where we can all gather, an altar where we can gather to worship God.
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“I remember in one of my commissionings, I made a statement that the birds have their nest in the air but we Christians do not have a place to worship but today, we give God all the glory.
“Thank you, our Governor, for making this day a success.
“I want to use this opportunity to sincerely thank the Fathers of Faith. Once a king is succeeding, watch the back, and you’ll see a priest.
“I really want to thank them. These are the priests that really backed me and are backing you up also.
“I can guarantee you that all of us will give you the support you need. “
“Once again, I stand here to give God all the glory for energizing and the sustenance of our beloved Governor, Our leader, that God has graciously given to us at a time like this. The same God that raised him will sustain him no matter what happens. God does not send someone on an errand and forsake him”
Responding, Governor Eno said he was happy for the massive attendance at the state worship service adding that it was not just a Worship Centre but a tourist attraction.
Eno promised that the worship centre would be maintained as a valuable asset of the state and to maintain the spiritual component as an altar of the State through daily prayers in the centre throughout the year.
He therefore announced the appointment of the Uyo Field Superintendent of The Apostolic Church, Pastor Ime George, as coordinator of the prayer roaster and Rev. Hilkiah Eliatha as Secretary, as well as a technical crew to maintain the facility
The service was attended by clergymen across various denominations, government officials and the Minister of State for Petroleum, (Gas), ObongEmem Ekperikpe Ekpo, Senator Ita Enang and Commissioner of the NDDC representing Akwa Ibom Hon Victor Antai among others.
